Reviews anti-drug measures
KUPWARA, SEPTEMBER 15: District Magistrate (DM) Kupwara, Shrikant Suse, Tuesday chaired a meeting of the District-Level NCORD (Narco Coordination) Committee to review the measures being undertaken to curb the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the district.
The meeting, as per an official statement, focused on strengthening coordinated efforts among various departments and agencies involved in drug demand reduction, enforcement, prevention, public awareness and rehabilitation. Detailed discussions were held on the progress achieved so far and the measures required to further intensify the district’s fight against drug abuse.
During the meeting, the Committee reviewed enforcement-related action taken under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The meeting took stock of FIRs registered by the Police Departments of Kupwara and Handwara, action taken against drug peddlers, attachment of properties linked with narcotics-related activities, preventive detention of habitual offenders and other measures aimed at disrupting the drug supply network.
The District Magistrate directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination and adopt a proactive approach in identifying vulnerable areas and taking timely action against persons involved in the cultivation, production, transportation and distribution of narcotic substances.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing drive against illicit cultivation of cannabis and poppy. The concerned agencies were asked to sustain field-level surveillance and ensure timely destruction of illegal crops to prevent their conversion into narcotic substances. Measures pertaining to the removal of encroachments and other activities associated with drug-related hotspots were also discussed.
Emphasizing the importance of preventing the availability of spurious and unauthorized medicines, the District Magistrate directed the Assistant Drug Controller to intensify market inspections and conduct special checking drives in coordination with the Police Department. The officers were asked to ensure strict action against the sale and distribution of fake, spurious or unauthorized drugs and strengthen monitoring of pharmaceutical outlets across the district.
The District Magistrate stressed that enforcement alone cannot address the drug problem and called for greater emphasis on preventive interventions, awareness generation and rehabilitation. He directed the concerned departments to enhance awareness programmes, particularly among students and youth, regarding the harmful consequences of drug abuse and the importance of seeking timely assistance.
He further underscored the need to identify vulnerable individuals and ensure that persons affected by substance abuse are appropriately guided towards counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services. The concerned departments were instructed to work in close coordination to facilitate access to support mechanisms for affected persons and their families.
The District Magistrate called upon all stakeholders to adopt a sustained and coordinated approach towards making Kupwara a drug-free district, stressing that concerted efforts by government departments, law-enforcement agencies, educational institutions, civil society and the general public are essential to effectively combat the challenge of substance abuse.
SSP Kupwara, Syed Al Tahir Gilani; SSP Handwara, Tahir Saleem Khan; ADC Kupwara, Gulzar Ahmad Khan; Principals of GDCs, ACR, ACD, CMO, DIO, ARTO; officers from the Prosecution Department, Agriculture Department, Drug Control Department and Social Welfare Department; Tehsildars, and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
